SECRET WAYS TO GET MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK IN FRANCE! Do Paris on a budget

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When you think of France, what first comes to mind? Maybe delicious cheese and wine, amazing bread, perfume, and fashion galore? France is the go-to destination for world-class gastronomy, luxury fashion, and all things fancy. Yes, while it’s true that on a vacation to France you can experience the finer things in life, that doesn’t mean you have to go broke in the process. Even if you’re doing Paris on a budget, no one likes paying more than they have to, right? So with that, let’s get into how to save money in Paris and other areas of France on your next vacation.
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Salut! I'm Diane, an American who has lived in France since 2012 and the creator of the blog/KZbin channel Oui In France. My channel's focus is "Everyday French life and beyond." I make videos on French culture topics, France vs. US culture comparisons, food, travel, language, and give you my thoughts about what it's like living in France as an American in the Loire Valley. Thanks for being here and if you enjoy this sort of thing, please share with friends and subscribe!
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[@PaulPlaceway]

An additional Museum Pass tip: start your museum tour by buying your pass at a smaller museum. You'll save time right from the start because the smaller museums aren't as crowded, and often have very interesting exhibits.

[@OuiInFrance]

Great tip! Thanks

[@dev5963]

Love this (and all your videos). Very surprised that you didn't mention not purchasing dessert at restaurants instead of going to the local pâtisserie. The selection is usually larger and the price can be 50 - 75% less. Rent an apartment instead of a hotel and then pick up food at a local market. So good, so cheap. We will get an apartment for 2 weeks in Paris and then do day trips (or 1 overnight) to other locations. Of course, you have to pay for train tickets but since the apartment is so much cheaper, it will pay for the train tickets. If you want Paris souvenirs at a very, very cheap price, get the little metal Eiffel Tower keychains (usually $1 or $2). Remove the ring, add a ribbon, and you have a wonderful Christmas ornament. Light weight, won't break, and easy to pack. Same thing with tea towels at dept stores. Get a beautiful piece of fabric and have a pillow made when you return home.

[@barfuss2007]

and there is very delicious sweet street food too. Crêpes Grand Marnier...

[@krcal3020]

I also recommend checking out the local markets. They have great options for a lunch picnic. There are often stands selling hot items for very good prices. Also, don’t rent a car unless you absolutely need one. We went on a recent trip to Bordeaux, Cognac, Sarlat, Toulouse. We booked day trips through Viator, took trains and buses, and hired some local drivers through our hotel. It turned out much cheaper than all the costs of having a car. We were also much more relaxed and met more local people. Finally, this really isn’t a tip to save money - but time. If you want to go to just one specific museum - like the Orsay in Paris - get online tickets. You will skip the big line and just walk right in.

[@barfuss2007]

if you are visiting only cities you miss the beautiful nature of france. It has a big varierty. Further more castles, grottes, canyoning, beaches... For me a car in France is 100% necessary for really complete vacations. Instead of hotels take bed & breakfast, les chambres d´hots.

[@kibaanazuka332]

My tips for visiting Paris would be getting the Navigo Découverte Travel Card if you can. It's a better bargin than the Paris Visite pass with the Navigo at €27.80/week compared to the €65.80/5 Days. It's a touch more difficult than the visite to get as you need to visit a photo booth to get a passport sized photo to present to the rail ticket office to purchase one but it's not too hard to find a photo booth and only takes a couple minutes to do and said travel card is valid for 10 years so that's a plus if you plan on coming back again.

[@beauthestdane]

We visited Brittany in late March, early April. It was wonderful.

[@OuiInFrance]

So glad you had a nice trip!

[@karinwetzel1773]

Any particular parts of Brittany you would recommend? I’ve looked at the region via real estate sites and google earth, and it looks so peaceful and pastoral. Just what I like!

[@beauthestdane]

@@karinwetzel1773 We are likely going to end up somewhere in Côtes-d'Armor, but we absolutely loved several areas. Quimper, Huelgoat, Dinan. We stayed in Vannes and enjoyed that, and are planning on going back for more exploring.

[@beauthestdane]

You can find anything from very rural to city apartment life in Brittany, just depends where you decide to land.

[@livingthegoodlifechannel]

I enjoy September and October in Europe.

[@OuiInFrance]

Great times to visit for sure!

[@barfuss2007]

in this time there can be dangerous heavy rains in south of France. I my first french holidays I saw at beach of Ramatuelle (near St. Tropez) dozens of caravans swimming in the Mediterranean Sea. It was a real catastrophe, earth slides...

[@foreverlearningfrench]

Bonne vidéo Diane. Très utile.

[@peterescalante1207]

Love your videos! Thanks!

[@OuiInFrance]

Glad you like them! Thank you

[@donnawoodward3163]

Great tips👌

[@FecklessMeander]

Brilliant !

[@FecklessMeander]

Smart and Brilliant !

[@christopheferraux2864]

Another nice thing is the Heritage Days which take place every third weekend in September. Many monuments are open to the public, some exceptionally, for example a private castle that is owned and only opens to the public on these days.

[@pnwesty7174]

Good stuff for us France noobs planning for our first trip. Merci.

[@OuiInFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@christinasydney1070]

Really love your channel!

[@OuiInFrance]

Thank you so much!

[@joelroach416]

Wonderful information as always.

[@OuiInFrance]

Thank you, glad it was helpful!

[@Kristi_bond]

Diane - We went in January right before COVID. Yes, we had to bundle up but Paris was still amazing!! No lines were anywhere and super cheap to go then.

[@valeriewyndham1381]

Really good tips for Wevat, museum pass... merci Diane.

[@OuiInFrance]

You're very welcome!

[@valeriewyndham1381]

@@OuiInFrance . Connais-tu Myrtile Beach SC? Nous y étions la semaine dernière pour un family road trip depuis NH ou nous habitons. J'ai ❤❤❤❤, ocean view hotel, magnifique plage, plein d'activités, température de l'eau 86F, fantastique!!!

[@h9313]

Merci pour vos vidéos :-)

[@OuiInFrance]

;-))))

[@sherrieshatzen3801]

Coming to France in the fall & winter is fabulous if you enjoy theater, dance, opera, etc. This is the season--usually October or November thru the spring.

[@jchow5966]

I love your glasses.

[@OuiInFrance]

Thanks very much!

[@sandrad3346]

I have been to France in July and August; the weather is very hot and it's uncomfortable to walk around. Also, because these are vacation months for the French, I found that lots of smaller stores are closed during this time.

[@OuiInFrance]

Yup, all true

[@barfuss2007]

you mean in Paris

[@bigassslabs-chainsawmillin8461]

My biggest advice for saving money is to have friends in France! Huge savings on hotel bills that way! LOL

[@OuiInFrance]

TRUTH! ;-))

[@leonab545]

Some friends would prefer that you stay in a hotel though

[@barfuss2007]

thats it!

[@heidibeechuk9203]

I will be in France for 1 day on a cruise. Do you know if they have the kiosks at the ports before leaving? Le Havre is our port. Thanks for all the helpful information.

[@flavioferreira9906]

I went to France during two weeks and I tried Wevat. It worked perfectly! Their customer service is support friendly!! Thank you a lot for the tip!

[@OuiInFrance]

So happy to hear that!

[@ldb2ldb229]

I was just wondering if you have a reference on how much of a refund you get on purchases spent? I was trying to determine if (for me) getting the VAT refund was worth the trouble. I understand it doesn't not include food - so it will basically only apply to souvenirs and personal purchases. If one spends a total of say $150 euro's that apply to the VAT refund - how much might the refund be? Thx for any advise or suggestions. I really enjoyed your video.

[@wendyleung6469]

We rented an apartment in Brittany, it was wondering and early May great weather.

[@barfuss2007]

the climate changes... I talked in south of france with people from Bretagne, they told me the only sunny weather are the first two weeks in june. I love to be at beaches when its raining, because then I have the beach for my own 🙂

[@BIRGITTAQF]

Some tip for travel on the smaller roads. By Guide Michelain maps the smaller areas the better, French road signs are not always logic. Tip 2 when you see lot of lorries outside a restaurant/bar. Stop and eat their meny, cheap and excellent. The today soup will perhaps be served from a metallic bowl, but so good.

[@clementineclement5757]

Yes, you're so right. Mostly they're called Les Routiers ( The Truckdrivers), look out for that blue and red sign,. Alas nowdays they struggle, especially against the competition of the highway Cafeterias (where food's bland, uniform, and overpriced), since truckdrivers sometimes don't make the effort any more to just drive a few miles off the highways to these little places .It's very important to support them. The atmosphere there is also very convivial and warmhearted, and without any snobishness of course.

[@gurikuri1595]

Soup in a metallic bowl ? That was not for the dogs ? The "routiers" inns were a thing until the 80's. Now truck drivers tend to eat crap they bring from their countries and they sleep inside their trucks as the job has become badly paid.

[@BIRGITTAQF]

@@gurikuri1595 NO the "madam " served the soup walking around with this big bowl, around 10 servings in it. And this was in the early 2000.

[@joanmackie1735]

You’re right about French road signs - there can be a clear sign at two successive crossroads, and nothing at the third. It can be quite frustrating if you’re in a hurry, but otherwise France can be a nice place to get lost in.

[@barfuss2007]

THESES ARE THE BEST ADVICES HERE... and only two guys got it, LOL. No we are three. Once I drove over 20 kilometers on a one way road... These are the real holiday adventures.

[@ladysparkymartin]

When I’ve traveled on business tabs they mentioned and gave me the VAT refund but on personal travel I’ve never done anything! Great to know about Wevat. Thank you!

[@OuiInFrance]

You're very welcome. Glad it was helpful!

[@christos2991]

Amy apps in France if you stay for 6months to look to buy stuff cheaper? Thanks 😊

[@OuiInFrance]

Check out le bon coin

[@ambrosejoseph4843]

I think April 2024, 70th birthday would be great.

[@shereehardrath3486]

Try to eat one meal a day from purchases at the grocery store--yogurt baguette and fruit for breakfast or baguette cheese and fruit for lunch. You can also buy tuna fish salad in a can, already prepared and it's delicious! Just don't look to buy ice, they don't sell ice in France!!! (at least they didn't used to, i don't know, maybe they do now?)

[@barfuss2007]

Icecream in France is often not the best, with the exeption of French Riviera. But when you are there its better to make a trip to Italy... Try to cook yourself with fresh and high quality french products. Its cheaper and makes fun. We only go in restaurants twice or three times during holidays (of 2 or 3 weeks) but then we take the better ones 🙂 A complete menue costs at least 100 Euro/person, without wine.

[@susanstein6604]

Synagogues and Jewish organizations in France have high security which may include metal detectors and you have to register in advance and reserve a place for security reasons. Don’t expect to just walk into a synagogue even to attend services.

[@barfuss2007]

if you want to travel around in France don´t sleep in expensive hotels, take bed & breakfast, en France ils s´appellent chambre d´hote. You will visit beautiful places and have more contacts to french people. If you want to stay in a special region book a holiday appartment or a house and cook yourself. For me a car is absolut necessary, I love to enjoy nature in nature without other touist masses too. And take the 20.000 selfies with your mind.

[@OuiInFrance]

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[@lordlucan7655]

How to save money in France ? Simple , shop in Spain

[@barfuss2007]

or Itlay, even german millionaires, they have a TV show in germany, buy their vegetables and fish in Italy, living in St. Tropez and Monte Carlo. We also went to Spain daily trips when we are in France near the border. We visited Barcelona and Bilbao. The Guggenheim Bilbao was phantastic.

[@mandorlap8091]

Question: Don’t we need to show the customs guys anymore for tax free? Are these new regulations? Thanks… I wish I had know this, I was in France last year for 3 weeks and used it only for items more than 100euros… I am happy they made changes!!

[@sophiesto6122]

Bring proper documentation for the kids, inclusing their school ID. Free museums in most cases or heavy student discounts for the high schoolers.

[@valgalloway6914]

Tap water! I was advised to stick to bottled water. French tap water is, of course, treated and fine for the locals but for visitors it simply isn't the tap water they're accustomed to. As such it can cause stomach upsets and is best avoided.

[@paulz6491]

I just spent 7 weeks in France and the tap water was fine.

[@yaowsers77]

I'm sorry, I don't see the link for the school holidays...

[@OuiInFrance]

My mistake! Totally forgot to add it. It's in the description box now ;-)

[@yaowsers77]

@@OuiInFrance thank you!

[@MmmmTwoTacos]

Bonjoir! I just found you! I am from The United States from the Great Lakes Region. I want to know as much as I can. The culture shock will not phase me (much) perhaps a little. I lived in The Netherlands for almost 2 years. So watching men pee outside and the size of coffees and greetings I already went down that path (They kiss 3 times in The Netherlands as well but just a whisp more or less.) I already know about the W/C's and the showers and the tiny appliances and the electric water boiling pots which I found to absolutely love)they are a big thing in Holland. I know full well that guttural sound is even more pronounced there. There's no drive-up banking there's no such thing as a Nurse in a doctor's visit and Nudity is common everywhere I think. I'm not a huggy person I'm from the great lakes we don't hug. So it all sounds doable so far. but what I don't like is the smoking...I need to travel for my health and that's a downside, I cannot drink coffee so that matters not. You are the first youtuber that actually shows that people in France don't eat at restaurants day in day out. Thank you for the videos on the stores! Hurray! In the Netherlands, the big chain markets are Albert Heijn and Jumbo and of course Lidl and Aldi and Hoogvleit. So I know about the pharmacies the Krooidvaat in The Hague is kind of like a watered-down Walgreens they sell hair care and soap and some children's toys. and the classic pharmacies are as you say just drugs and advice. Cars are tiny there too in fact many dutch drivers drive French cars like Renult.. Do they still have Piano bars like in Hemingways time in the twenties? Where do the artists hang out? Do you need a pet licence ? what is the cost of a first time vet visit? Where do people walk their dogs? Can people work at any age there? what is the cut off age? Im a cold climate person so I believe my only interests would be where there is snow.What is a typical Utility Charge ? are there utility charges at B&B's? in Hotels? and vacation apartments...are there Orthodontists? and are there Real estate agencies ? and Have they discontinued the Friday and Sunday Rollerblading in Paris? Thats about all Im so happy to have found you. Thank you.

[@OuiInFrance]

Welcome and so happy you enjoy my channel!

[@barfuss2007]

Let you pet at home, there are enough of the streer shitters in France.

[@yannip2083]

Senior means how old?

[@OuiInFrance]

In the context of the SNCF pass, it's 60. www.sncf.com/en/passenger-offer/mainline-cards-fares/avantage-senior-card

[@schmoey40]

Diane pouvez vous nous faire une recette de tarte à la cirtouille pour votre audience française ? Je suis tombé amoureux du cheese cake et j'ai le sentiment que la citrouille est une "tuerie" en dessert. Please we (i) want a pumpkin pie recipe !! thanks for promoted our culture

[@barfuss2007]

prends cheese cake allemande 🙂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m363aJKalpmNZpI

[@StephanieEmordi]

Can you please help with making reservations for a family of 5 coming to Paris or kindly advise us on cheaper hotels?

[@b.w.9244]

Daily specials sound great... except need to learn the French for 'octopus' and 'goat testicles' to avoid!

[@iheartmanythings]

The title of this video is pretty misleading because none of these tips are “secret.” These are super basic and kind of generic.

[@christianc9894]

I forgot that the basic American is super intelligent, that he knows everything and that he doesn't need the advice of others, even compatriots who have been living in France for years.

[@pnwesty7174]

Thank god someone as clever as you managed to take a few precious moments out of your busy day to drop a turd in a comment section. Merci beaucoup.

[@christianc9894]

@@pnwesty7174 A ton service mec.

[@pnwesty7174]

@@christianc9894 I was responding to the same comment you were.

[@christianc9894]

.@@pnwesty7174It was ambiguous. Sorry.